An Example of Noble Character

and forgave him. This act had such a profound impact on the Bedouin that he immediately became an ardent follower of the Prophet. (Al-Mu‘jam Al-Awsat by Al-Tabarani, Hadith No. 9112) Many such incidents occurred during that time and are well-documented in historical records. Turning Opposition into Opportunity When the Prophet of Islam left his homeland and migrated to Madinah to avoid confrontation, the people of Makkah became even more enraged. Determined to eliminate his mission entirely, they launched an attack at Badr—a location about 130 kilometers (81 miles) from Makkah and around 310 kilometers (193 miles) northwest of Madinah. However, the Quraysh were defeated, and seventy of their men were taken captive. Many of these captives were educated individuals. The Prophet of Islam declared that any prisoner who taught ten children in Madinah to read and write would earn his freedom as ransom and be released. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 2216) This marked the establishment of the first school in Islamic history—unique in that it had Muslim students but was staffed entirely by teachers from the former opposing group. The Power of Peace An essential lesson from the life of the Prophet of Islam is that the power of peace is greater than the power of violence. Throughout his life, the Prophet consistently